Coronavirus (COVID-19)

March 24, 2020September 3, 2020 by Duane Morris

U.S. Department of Justice Files Civil Complaint for COVID-19-Related Fraud

By Brett M. Feldman and Jessica Linse

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, law enforcement officials throughout the country have publicly committed to aggressively combatting pandemic-related fraud. Those pronouncements have translated into action focused, at least at this early stage, upon frauds which might impact consumers’ health and safety. The first federal civil enforcement action took place on Saturday, March 21, 2020. On that date, the U.S. Department of Justice, in coordination with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, filed the first civil enforcement action against a COVID-19 related fraud. Prosecutors sought an injunction shutting down a website, which purportedly offered to provide “free” coronavirus “vaccine kits” for a $4.95 shipping and handling fee. This request for injunctive relief, which resulted in a temporary restraining order pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1345, is likely an omen of more to come. Continue reading “U.S. Department of Justice Files Civil Complaint for COVID-19-Related Fraud”

March 23, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

Massachusetts to Close Nonessential Businesses and Issues “Stay at Home” Advisory

Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order closing all businesses and organizations in Massachusetts that do not provide COVID-19 essential services from 12:00 p.m. on March 24, until 12:00 p.m. on April 7. The order applies to physical workspaces and facilities and encourages businesses to operate remotely to the extent possible.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

March 23, 2020 by Duane Morris

Temporary Border Closures Due to COVID-19 Between U.S. and Both Canada and Mexico

To limit the spread of the coronavirus, the United States has entered into joint initiatives with Canada and Mexico to temporarily close its northern and southern borders for all nonessential travel, effective March 21, 2020, for a 30-day period. Essential commercial activity will not be impacted.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

March 23, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Mexico’s Judicial System Responds to COVID-19 with Partial Shutdown

On March 19, 2020, a Mexican district court judge issued an order to the federal government to take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and detect people who have the infectious disease.

Furthermore, Mexico’s Supreme Court said in a March 17 statement that it would suspend its regular court activities from March 18 to April 19 to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The country’s other federal courts followed suit with a similar preventative announcement later on March 17, suspending activities over the same time period “with the aim of avoiding the concentration of people,” the courts said in a separate statement.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

March 23, 2020September 18, 2020 by Duane Morris

Maryland Governor Closes All Nonessential Businesses and Other Establishments March 23, 2020

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an order to take effect at 5:00 p.m. on March 23, 2020, that will close all nonessential businesses, organizations and establishments in the state, in addition to businesses closed by previous executive orders. This follows previous orders, statewide actions and recommendations. The order excludes “Essential Critical Infrastructure” businesses as defined by the federal government, which include businesses in the following sectors: chemical, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense industrial base, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, materials, and waste, transportation, and water and wastewater.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 by Duane Morris

Leadership, COVID-19 and Ms. Kennedy

“Don’t be afraid.”

The leader who says this to an employee either is very much afraid or lacks even a scintilla of empathy. In either case, the statement (or response) is so bad.

First, it is remarkably disrespectful. Don’t tell people how to feel!

Second, if employees listen to you, they may become ill (or worse). Fear is healthy now—it may keep us and those we care about safe as we social distance.

Third, the comment undermines whatever credibility the leader may have. I cannot think of a worse time to project dangerous bravado.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Jonathan Segal, please visit The SHRMBlog.

March 23, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

Illinois Governor Closes All But Essential Businesses and Organizations Over COVID-19

On March 20, 2020, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-10 in response to COVID-19. Beginning at 5:00 p.m. on March 21, 2020, and continuing through April 7, 2020, at a minimum, the executive order requires that all individuals stay at home unless they work for essential businesses and operations.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

March 23, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

What is the Meaning of the US- Canada and US-Mexico Temporary Border Closures due to the COVID19 Pandemic?

To limit the further spread of Coronavirus, the United States entered into joint initiatives with Canada and Mexico to temporarily close its Northern and Southern borders for all non-essential travel, effective March 21, 2020, for a 30-day period. Essential commercial activity will not be impacted.

To read the full text of this post from Duane Morris attorney Teodora Purcell, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Blog.

March 23, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

Delaware Governor Closes Nonessential Businesses Until May 15, 2020

On March 22, 2020, Delaware Governor John Carney issued his Fourth and Fifth Modifications of the Declaration of a State of Emergency for the State of Delaware Due to a Public Health Threat, pursuant to which he has ordered the closure of nonessential business and commercial establishments in Delaware (Nonessential Business Closure Order). The order takes effect on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. and remains in effect “until after May 15, 2020, or the public health threat of COVID-19 has been eliminated… .” Violations of the Nonessential Business Closure Order constitute a criminal offense.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

March 23, 2020 by Duane Morris

EPA Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic

While hospitals and other healthcare centers, transportation systems and many places of employment are understandably the focus of attention when it comes to the novel coronavirus, the intersection of the virus and environmental law should not be overlooked.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a webpage devoted to this topic, covering the regulation of antiviral disinfectants, wastewater treatment and drinking water.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.